Hi all!
Another point that I think may be important is that the essay film is a
dialogical form. Contrary to what it may seem at first, it is never a
monologue but a dialogue between the essayist and those who dealt with
the subject she / he is exploring before him. In this respect, the
viewer is normally acknowledged in the essay film and even encouraged
to take part in the dialogue, as happens in Chris Marker´s “Sans
soleil” with the returned gaze and the multiple unanswered questions
thrown at the viewer.
With regard to a possible definition of the essay film, difficult issue
as that is, I would like to contribute the one formulated by Alain
Bergala which I think reflects better the complexity of the matter:
“What is an essay-film? It is a film which does not follow any of the
general rules of cinema as an institution whether it is in terms of
genre, duration or social imperatives. It is a ‘free’ film in the sense
in which it must invent and define its own form each and every time”.
For the list, I think the films of Harun Farocki (“The Inextinguishible
Fire”, 1969; “Images of the World and the Inscription of War”, 1989)
and José Luis Guerín (“Tren de sombras”, 1997; “En construcción”, 2001)
in Spain.
Best Wishes,
David Montero
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